Basketball thoughts

This week has been a bit hectic so I'll make it short and sweet this week. My two basketball teams, the Illini and the Bulls find themselves at a crossroads to the postseason.

Illini
I went to the Minnesota game on Saturday and it was pretty ugly in the 1st half. I was just hoping we'd make it into double digits in the first half. The second half was pretty exciting. I have never seen a comeback before and every 3 made was incredible. Even though the Illini lost it was a good game to experience, but it was my first loss at Assembly Hall. Because of this loss and the loss last night against Ohio State, I think to be safe for the tournament, the Illini need to win at home versus Wisconsin and win at least one Big Ten tournament game. If they lose against Wisconsin, they might need to get to the Big Ten Championship game to prove their worth. The problem is inconsistency which has plagued them all season. This is true not only from game to game, but half to half. Bad early losses to Utah and Bradley. Good wins at Wisconsin and Clemson and versus Michigan State.

Bulls
The Bulls came out of the break with a good string of wins against less than stellar teams (T'wolves, Knicks, Pacers, Sixers), but are hobbling now. In yesterday's practice, Rose, Hinrich, Noah, Miller, and Deng all sat. Noah and Deng sat out in the Atlanta loss. The problem with the Bulls is that they are facing a long stretch without Noah and nagging injuries on your starters. The trades have left the Bulls with a lack of big men although they recently just resigned Chris Richard for the rest of the season. Besides Richard, your looking at an hobbling Noah, a aging Miller who can't put extended minutes, Taj a rookie also with a foot injury, and Hakim Warrick. The Bulls are also about to hit a rough stretch of playing some good teams (Dallas, Utah, Orlando, Cleveland). Right now they are 2 games up on the 9th place Bobcats.

Despite all the recent injury news, I thought the trades were pretty good. Warrick and Murray seem to fit well and the Bulls seemed to be running the break more. Additionally, the Bulls cleared space for a potential free agent. I think they struck the best balance they could by competing this year and still trying to land a free agent. Warrick seems like a more reliable Tyrus who plays with energy and runs the floor. Murray also runs the floor nicely and has some nice offensive moves.